iPhone XS Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Which Phone Caught your Attention?

By Carrie Tsai,  Last Updated: September 20, 2018

Samsung started the wide-screen when it released its first Note device in 2011. Since then, all other manufacturers have followed suit, and even Apple has introduced the Plus size model. Now, Apple has introduced a new device with the largest display ever, with an elegant smartphone line. And with the launch of the iPhone XS Max we have a new rival to the Galaxy Note 9’s throne.

But, how do they compare? Here we pit the super-sized Apple iPhone XS Max versus the mighty Samsung Galaxy Note 9.

iPhone XS Max vs Galaxy Note 9: Design

The iPhone XS Max is brand new, the design is almost identical to last year's iPhone X, although the frame is slightly larger. Its size is 157.5 mm * 77.4 mm * 7.7 mm, which is shorter and thinner than the Note 9's 161.9 * 76.4 * 8.8 mm size, but the Samsung model has a slightly narrower feel.

The metal chassis is decorated with both, and since there is no Home button on the front, there is almost no baffle. Samsung has moved the fingerprint sensor to the rear, and Apple completely abandoned the fingerprint sensor and relied on the Face ID camera at the top of the display.

iPhone XS Max vs Galaxy Note 9: Screen

Surprisingly, the iPhone is actually equipped with a larger screen than Note for the first time. Apple is equipped with a 6.5-inch super retina OLED panel, just a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED panel that has been eclipsed in Samsung.

On the reverse side of each device you will find a dual camera unit, as you would expect, with buttons, stereo speakers, lightning (iPhone) or USB-C (Note) charging ports on the side, while Samsung models have the most popular 3.5mm headphone jack.

iPhone XS Max vs Galaxy Note 9: Waterproof

Both devices are waterproof, and the iP68 rating means they should survive accidental soaking in the bathtub or any spilled beverage disaster. Internally, the iPhone XS Max is again very similar to the iPhone X. The main upgrade is the A12 Bionic chip, which offers small performance improvements and higher energy efficiency.

iPhone XS Max vs Galaxy Note 9: Storage

4GB of RAM is standard and may sound low compared to 6GB or 8GB in Note 9, but iOS always has very good memory management. Samsung adopted the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 model, while British buyers found the custom Exynos 9810 at the heart of its products. Both are top-level processors that deliver flexible, powerful, and responsive performance.

As ever, spec sheets don’t tell the whole story. When Tom’s Guide benchmarked the Galaxy Note 9 against the now-retired iPhone X, the Apple device left the Note in the dust with a 10,357 Geekbench score compared to the Note 9’s 8,876. The iPhone XS Max is faster.

iPhone XS Max vs Galaxy Note 9: Camera

Apple emphasizes that one area of the new A12 Bionic advantage is its neural engine. Aligning with larger sensors means that the iPhone XS Max now has a smarter camera system that allows for a clearer picture. It also changes the background focus of the image after shooting. To capture these images, the iPhone is equipped with a dual optics series on last year's model, namely wide-angle 12mp f / 1.8 and telephoto f / 2.4 lenses.

Note 9 also has dual 12mp shooting games, but it's a bit different. The auxiliary unit is an f / 2.4 lens for depth sensing and optical zoom, while the main lens has a variable aperture that mechanically switches between f / 1.5 and f / 2.4. This allows the photographer to use one lens to move from a well-lit area to low light while the other lens still provides additional coverage.

The Note series is known for its excellent camera, and adding a variable aperture will only increase the quality. Of course, the iPhone is also some of the best camera devices, so expect new technologies to continue to drive the visual range. So far, we don't have enough time to spend on the iPhone XS Max, so we will keep our judgment on the photography function, but it is certain that any of these units will produce very impressive results.

iPhone XS Max vs Galaxy Note 9: Software

Both Note 9 and iPhone XS Max offer facial recognition as a way to unlock your phone, but Apple has become more focused on this area. Prove that this is the iPhone does not have a fingerprint sensor, and the one on Note 9 is still the preferred path for most users to enter the device. Face ID relies on a series of cameras on the front of the device, which has proven to be effective and fast so far.

The fingerprint, then Samsung is a good choice. Probably the most prominent part of the Note series, its name, which is S-Pen. This small and precise stylus is stored inside the device itself, allowing the user to eject it when needed and then return it for safe storage.